It's not just the Republicans in Washington helping rioters. This one actually opened the door, beckoning them to come inside and riot to their heart's content before state troopers rushed to push the protesters back outside. Mike Nearman of District 23 in Independence was stripped of his legislative duties and fined for property damage back in January but now faces actual criminal charges as well.
Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting
State Rep Mike Nearman, the Polk County Republican who allowed far-right demonstrators to breach the state Capitol in December, now faces criminal charges.
According to court records, Nearman has been charged with first-degree official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, and second degree criminal trespass, a class C misdemeanor.
The decision to charge Nearman follows a monthslong investigation by state police that began Dec. 21. As lawmakers met in a special legislative session to take up COVID-19 relief that day, surveillance footage showed Nearman exiting the locked Capitol building into a throng of protesters who were trying to get inside the statehouse. In doing so, he appeared to purposefully grant entrance to far right groups demanding an end to ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19.
Shortly after that breach, demonstrators scuffled with state troopers and Salem police. One man is accused of spraying officers with bear mace, allowing the crowd to make their way further into the building. Several people were arrested before the Capitol was cleared, and members of the crowd went on to shatter glass doors and assault journalists outside the building. Nearman, meanwhile, promptly walked around the building and entered on the opposite side.
Here's the full version of the security video.
BUSTED: Republican lawmaker, Mike Nearman, charged with first-degree official misconduct and second-degree criminal trespass for helping far-right activists breach Capitol in Oregon.https://t.co/Bql8xocfsHpic.twitter.com/KHbXI6vExp
— Bryan Dawson (@BryanDawsonUSA) May 1, 2021
NEW: State Rep. Mike Nearman, who allowed right-wing demonstrators to breach the state Capitol in December, now faces criminal charges, court records show. #orpol #orleg https://t.co/tfyKm8cMEn
— Dirk VanderHart (@dirquez) April 30, 2021
